Architects and interior designers may be known for their creativity on paper, but it takes a certain type of person to bring those visions to life. Ed Bom, construction manager at SZ Build, Inc., is that person -- he takes creative architectural design visions and manifests them into reality.
Ed brings ideas out of the ground, literally, and makes them real and feasible. With over 25 years of experience as a construction manager, and a wealth of experience building in the Netherlands, he brings his personal insight to every project he and Suzanne have teamed up on over the past two years.
As a construction manager, Ed’s responsibilities include managing the budget and schedule for multiple projects. Since he is part of a Design/Build team, he also contributes to the detailing and feasibility of each project. He has a strong ability to fine-tune ideas on paper before they’re even built. He is not just handed a finished plan set and asked to build it; he’s deeply involved in the design iterations, as he plays the role of keeping the design team in check so that they design toward specific budgets.
Ed and Suzanne’s first project together was designing and building the SZ Gallery and office space. In the past year alone, they’ve completed several projects including a full commercial kitchen for Facing East, high end residential remodels on Mercer Island and Clyde Hill, and a 4,500 square foot office space for COPPEI Partners.
When asked about some of Ed’s strongest attributes as a construction manager, Suzanne Zahr said that, “He has a keen ability to see into the future. He can foresee potential conflicts because he builds things in his head. He’s able to layer all of the aspects and complexities happening, whether it’s building a huge mezzanine or a kitchen countertop. He also asks all the right questions, vets all the potential conflicts early on, and prepares the whole team for a clean delivery.”
With all of his construction experience, Ed knows how to succeed in both residential and commercial development. He uses a different level of detail and pace for each development scenario, and with this knowledge, he’s able to find subcontractors who specialize in each one. Since he came up the Design/Build ranks by starting as a hands-on subcontractor, Ed knows exactly what different subcontractors actually do.
On the construction side, Ed handles the cost estimates and is the main point of contact for all the subcontractors, including monitoring their progress in person. He also sequences the construction in order to stay efficient with the delivery and meet deadlines. The building systems are all tightly coordinated by Ed. He can also maintain the design integrity, and by working with both construction and design teams, he can inspire the design team to get more creative in order to solve problems in an effective and efficient way.
Due to his experience living and working in the Netherlands, Ed brings an upfront, honest attitude to every interaction. His direct and forthcoming demeanor helps him coordinate multiple teams, especially subcontractors. Ed’s involvement in the design team minimizes the potential for sticker shock, as he keeps things realistically within stated budgets.
Ed’s much more than a general contractor; he’s an integral part of the design dialogue. He’s on the leading edge of realizing the design vision, and his advice and insight helps make Suzanne and her team even better architects and designers.
Learn more about Ed's background by visiting his LinkedIn Page.
Written by Julia Hess